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ARCA Racing Returns to Chicagoland Speedway

(TOLEDO, Ohio – November 20, 2013) – Chicagoland Speedway will once again host an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race. Track and series officials announced today that the ARCA Racing Series will be part of a NASCAR Nationwide Series doubleheader on July 19, 2014.

“We look forward to once again hosting the ARCA Racing Series during our July weekend,” said Scott Paddock, president of Chicagoland Speedway. “With ARCA and the NASCAR Nationwide Series competing back-to-back, our fans will have the opportunity to witness the future stars of stock car racing battle for the checkered flag while also enjoying live entertainment and many other memorable offerings in our Champions Park.”

Chicagoland Speedway, in Joliet, Ill., is a 1.5-mile, D-shaped, tri-oval speedway that has hosted the ARCA Racing Series since 2001. The speedway sits on nearly 1,000 acres of land and has 500 acres of free parking.

The NASCAR Nationwide race will be a night race on July 19 and follow the ARCA Racing Series race.

The Chicagoland ARCA race is unique in that there have been no repeat winners. Corey LaJoie, driving for the Roulo Brothers Racing, won the 2013 race. The Richard Petty Motorsports development driver would go on to win three ARCA races on the season.

Previous ARCA Chicagoland winners include Ed Berrier, who won the inaugural race in 2001, Steve Wallace, Michael McDowell, Ty Dillon, Chad Blount and Frank Kimmel. In addition to no repeat winners, there have been no repeat pole winners either. Three-time series champion Tim Steele, the all-time series superspeedway winner with 24, won the pole for inaugural race in 2001, but never won a race at Chicagoland.

Chicagoland Speedway will also host an all-NASCAR weekend in 2014 when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (Sept. 12), NASCAR Nationwide (Sept. 13) and Sprint Cup races (Sept. 15) return to Joliet for a racing weekend.

ARCA has announced 15 dates on the 2014 schedule, from Daytona International Speedway Feb. 15 to Kansas Speedway Oct. 3. So far, ARCA has announced seven companion events with at least one of NASCAR’s top three series.

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is among the leading auto racing sanctioning bodies in the country. Founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum, the organization administers more than 100 events each year in multiple racing series, including the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the ARCA/CRA Super Series, the ARCA Truck Series and the ARCA Midwest Tour, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.

Here’s a look at the announced dates on the 2014 ARCA schedule so far.